Do you find yourself rambling when asked to speak in front of your colleagues or senior management? Do you find yourself struggling to find the right words?
If public speaking makes you uncomfortable or gives you anxiety, you’re not alone: public speaking is one of the most common fears in the United States. Learning to overcome your fears, gain confidence and master the art of public speaking is crucial to professional success. Whether it’s giving a sales presentation, pitching an idea to a committee, or presenting your ideas to a prospect or client, the ability to speak in a clear, engaging and confident manner is a crucial part of advancing your career.
At Corporate Speech Solutions, we provide speech and communication training that will give you the ability to present with clarity and confidence. Our ten point training system provides the skills to engage your audience from the very first word.
Take a look at our four tips to improve your speaking and presentation skills:
1. Always keep water on hand when you speak. Speaking for a prolonged period can dehydrate your vocal cords, and dry mouth caused by nerves can make the situation worse. Staying well-hydrated will help keep your voice strong and clear. In addition, taking a sip of water can be a great way to take a moment to compose yourself and collect your thoughts during your presentation.
2. Don’t forget to breathe! Closing your eyes and taking a few deep breaths before you present is remarkably effective for helping you to calm down and focus on the task at hand. Taking deep breaths from your abdomen as you speak helps you retain this calm, and also gives power to your voice.
3. Before you begin, take two minutes to do some vocal warm-up exercises. They’ll help to relax you and make your speech more fluid. Lip flutters, tongue rolls and humming are all great ways to warm up your voice.
4. Practice! If you’re completely confident in the content of your presentation beforehand, you’ll be much more relaxed, and free to focus on the quality of your speech and your presentation style.
Want to learn more? Click on the video below to hear Corporate Speech Solutions’ Founder and President, Jayne Latz, talk about how to reduce anxiety in public speaking!
For information on the New York Based Speech and Accent Reduction services offered by Corporate Speech Solutions please give us a call at 212-308-7725 or visit us on the web at www.corporatespeechsolutions.com. Not in NYC? No problem! We also provide Skype and video conferencing services.
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